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Sizemore optimistic about a return this season

Sizemore optimistic about a return this season

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Grady Sizemore

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CLEVELAND -- Grady Sizemore sounded optimistic on Monday when estimating that he could make a Minor League rehab assignment by the end of next week. Indians head athletic trainer Lonnie Soloff appreciates the center fielder's hopeful outlook, but he isn't ready to jump to such a conclusion just yet.

"That's great to hear," Soloff said. "I trust his self-evaluation, but that's not outlined as of yet. We have a lot of hurdles to get over prior to that, so we're certainly happy that Grady's optimistic."

As optimistic as Sizemore was, he maintained a sense of caution. The center fielder is wary of another setback, a fair assessment given Sizemore's recent litany of injuries. Sizemore has played in just 200 games over the last three seasons, and just 94 over the last two.

"Hopefully if this week goes well, I'll try to get into some rehab games next week," Sizemore said. "That's assuming that everything goes well. That could change tomorrow or the next day. I definitely think I'll be able to get back before the season is over, unless I get out there and it doesn't feel good."

Soloff wouldn't put a specific timetable on Sizemore's recovery, but said that the 29-year-old would be re-evaluated after going through sprints and agility drills between games in Tuesday's doubleheader.

"We're going to re-evaluate him each day," Soloff said. "If all goes well and all checks out fine, we'll increase the intensity of his running activities as well as his baseball activities."